Divi
sio
n
I
- Sa
fe
ty
! WARNING
Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in a serious injury or death.
23
Sound Judgment
Overview
You are not invincible. Knowing that the
first “S” in “P.A.S.S.” stands for “Sound
Judgment” means you need to use yours.
Do you consider yourself to be pretty
conservative, or are you a heavy risk-
taker? Before continuing with this sec-
tion on sound judgment, check your
Risk
Factor
by doing this short survey:
1.
Do you drive over the speed limit?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
2
. Are you more daring around your
friends than you are when alone?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
3.
Do you drive your car when the gas
gauge is on empty?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
4.
Do you feel that no matter what you
do, you won’t get hurt?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
5.
Do you drink or use drugs before
you drive your car?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
6.
Do you drive your car even if it has
a major problem with the brakes,
tires, or engine?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
7.
Do you thrive on the adrenaline
rush you get from speeding and
dangerous situations?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
8.
Do you hurt yourself because you
do things that are out of your ability
range?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
9.
Do you tailgate other drivers when
you think they’re driving too slow?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
10.
Do you ignore weather reports
before you do outside activities like
swimming, camping, fishing, or
boating?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
Add the totals from lines 1-10.
YOUR
RISK FACTOR IS:
10-15:
You’re pretty conservative.
Chances are good that the consistently
safe choices you make will help you
avoid hurting yourself and the people
around you.
16-20:
You’re straddling the fence.
Depending on your mood or whom
you’re with, the choices you make may
help you or hurt you.
21-30:
You’re taking your chances. Time
to reconsider a lot of the judgments you
make. You’re destined to put yourself in
dangerous situations and potentially hurt
yourself and the people around you.
The environment you operate an ATV in
is often harsh and sometimes dangerous
if you don’t take proper precautions.
Weather
You need to consider the weather. It is
dangerous to ride your ATV when the
weather is bad or potentially bad. Keep
abreast with weather forecasts.
Terrain
Always pay close attention to the terrain
you’re on even if it is familiar to you.
You can’t assume that the landscape
you’re used to doesn’t change. Changes
to landscape can happen at nearly any
time. Fences can be constructed and
excavations dug in a short period of time.
Weather, climate, and development take
their toll.
Environment
